Texas Longhorns May Lose 5-Star CB John Meredith to Texas A&M, Predicts Rivals
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The Texas Longhorns, under head coach Steve Sarkisian, have been one of the most consistent programs over the last three seasons.
In those years, the Longhorns have achieved three seasons with double-digit wins, made two appearances in the College Football Playoff and won a conference championship. Additionally, they secured three consecutive top-six recruiting classes during this period, contributing to the creation of one of the strongest rosters in the sport.
The 2026 recruiting class didn’t perform as well as the previous three, ranking No. 7 in the nation, but it was still a strong cohort. Now, Texas is focusing on the 2027 class as it aims to build its first national championship team since 2005.
The Longhorns are ranked No. 9 and have six commitments to their 2027 recruiting class so far. However, they might miss out on one of the top players in their home state. Five-star cornerback John Meredith is ranked as the No. 2 player in Texas and the No. 4 player overall according to Rivals. And the industry rankings list him at No. 1 in the country. Despite this, prediction models suggest that Meredith will choose the rival Texas A&M Aggies. The Rivals prediction machine gives the Aggies a 97.1% chance to land the talented corner.
The immediate concern for Texas isn’t the overall strength of its 2027 class; it’s perception and positioning within the state. Under Sarkisian, the Longhorns have built recruiting momentum, which has directly translated into sustained on-field success. But when an in-state, No. 1-overall caliber prospect like Meredith trends strongly toward Texas A&M, it sends a competitive signal that extends beyond one roster spot.
Cornerback is a premium SEC position, particularly as offenses continue to evolve and stress secondaries vertically. Missing on an elite cover defender would be less about numbers and more about leverage. Texas has consistently won high-profile recruiting battles in recent cycles; losing a head-to-head fight for a blue-chip defensive back could indicate renewed traction for the Aggies within the state’s top tier.
That said, the broader foundation remains strong. Texas’ three-year run of double-digit wins, College Football Playoff appearances and conference success demonstrates roster depth rather than dependence on a single prospect. If the Longhorns can maintain elite evaluation and development pipelines, one recruiting loss won’t derail championship aspirations. But in-state recruiting wars often foreshadow future SEC power dynamics, and this one is worth monitoring closely as 2027 classes take shape.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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